Loch nam Bonnach

[Inveralligan]

I was really looking forward to doing this walk with my wife who is a fair weather and not-too-far or not-too-steep walker only. We got ready on a beautiful morning and drove to the location marked on the guide at Drumindorsair. The small local roads were rather tricky to navigate but we found the location after a couple of false starts. The problem was that althought the guide states that one car could be parked just short of the starting point, I certainly couldn't find such a place. Nor could I find anywhere at all within a mile that could leave the car as the only options were passing places and the openings to private properties. In fact there is NOWHERE to park (legally) anywhere near this walk unless a car is left at the Tormorack community centre to the south, a considerable distance away at the bottom of a VERY long and VERY steep hill. After all the time wasted driving around and searching my wife had had enough of it so we gave up.
Beware!

[Highart13]

Hey I live in Beauly so I do this walk very frequently and I'm embarrassed to say I usually drive up the hill to avoid the initial steep section up the road to the start point!! (I have the excuse of an old dog)

I have done the walk using the walk route provided on WH however I now always do it this way (see my route marked in yellow)... excuse my poor attempt at a mapping exercise, however hopefully you will come back and try this walk again, it really is worth it (great views and lovely and secluded for a picnic)....

This route actually takes you right up to the loch's edge which is good on a warm day for dipping a toe or two.

Plenty of parking for 3 or 4 cars well off the road at the red cross (well, blob). To find this spot in the first instance, turn off Beauly Square at Corner on the Square deli (Croyard Road) and go up past the primary school and keep going up, up, up - the road thins out over a railway bridge but just keep going up. When you can go up no more, you're there. Parking and the stile in the deer fence right in front.

A few wee tasters ....

[BlackPanther]

Well, I missed this one somehow when it was originally posted. I agree with all what you said, Highart13 There are different spots to leave your car in and around Beauly, starting from the village centre, then by the old memorial at the crossroads near Lovat Bridge, uphill at the edge of the forest just past Ruilick...
I must say, I usually do hiking around Beauly without using a car, I walk from my house The hills to the north of the village are a superb area for walking through some of the terrain is a bit rough. The forest path from Ruisaurie up to the summit of Torr Breac can be a bog feast (especially in wet weather), but it can be avoided using a slightly longer route via Drumindorsair. Towards Muir of Oird, Cnoc Croit na Maoile is also a lovely hike.
Last year I posted a series of reports about the area of Beauly, here they are, a proof that this area is walker-friendly Hope these will be helpful for anybody planning to do some lurking around the village...
1. Loch nam Bonnach:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13404
2. To the summit of Torr Breac:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13438
3. Hiking around Rheindown Woods:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13481

Cheers
BP